 | The History of Timon of Athens, the Man-Hater |  |
ACT III.
Enter Timon and Demetrius.Tim.
Demetrius!
How comes it that I have been thus incounter'd
With clamorous demands of broken Bonds,
And the unjust detention of money long since due?
I knew I was in debt, but did not think
I had gone so far; wherefore before this time
Did you not lay my state fully before me?
Dem.
You would not hear me.
At many times I brought in my accounts,
Laid 'em before you—you would throw 'em off,
And say, you found 'em in my Honesty.
I have beyond good manners, pray'd you often
To hold your hand more close and was rebuk't for't.
Tim.
You should have prest it further.
Dem.
What e're I durst I did, it was my interest,
For if my Lord be poor, what then must I be?
Call me before the exactest Auditors,
And let my life lie on the proof:
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If it were yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone?
Tim.
Have you no money in the Treasury?
Dem.
Not enough to supply the riot of two meals.
Tim.
Let all my Land be sold.
Dem.
'Tis all engag'd;
And some already's forfeited and gone,
That which remains will scarce pay present dues;
The future comes apace.
Tim.
To Lacedæmon did my Land extend.
Dem.
How many times have I retir'd and wept,
To think what it would come to.
Tim.
Prithee! no more, I know thou'rt honest.
Dem.
It grieves me to consider 'mongst what Parasites
And trencher Friends your wealth has been divided.
I cannot but weep at the sad reflection,
When every word of theirs was greedily
Attended to, as if they'd been pronounc'd
From Oracles. I never could be heard.
Tim.
Come; preach no more, thou soon shall find that I
Have not misplac'd my Bounty, why dost weep?
I am rich in friends and can use all their wealth
Freely as I can bid thee speak.
Dem.
I doubt it.
Tim.
You soon shall see how you mistake my fortune.
Now I shall try my friends. Who waits there?
Enter three Servants.
1 Ser.
My Lord!
Tim.
Go you to Phæax and to Cleon, you to Isander
And Ælius, you to Isodore and Thrasillus.
Commend me to their loves, and let them know,
I'm proud that my occasions make me use 'em
For a supply of money. Let the request
Be fifty Talents from each man.
1 Serv.
We will, my Lord.
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Thou, Demetrius, shalt go to the Senate, from whom
Even to the States best health I have deserv'd
This hearing. Petition them to send me 500 Talents.
Dem.
I must obey. The next room's full of
Importunate slaves and hungry Creditors, go not to 'em.
[Ex. Dem.
Tim.
What! must my doors b' oppos'd against my passage?
Have I been ever free, and those been open
For all Athenians to go in and out
At their own pleasure? My Porter at my Gate
Ne're kept man out, but smil'd and did invite
All that past by it, in, and must he be
My Gaoler, and my House my Prison! no,
I'll not despair: my friends will never fail me.
[Exit.
Scene is the Porch or Cloister of the Stoicks.
Apemantus speaking to the people and several Senators.
Apem.
'Mongst all the loathsome and base diseases of
Corrupted Nature, Pride is most contagious.
Behold the poorest miserable wretch
Which the Sun shines on; in the midst of all
Diseases, rags, want, infamy and slavery,
The Fool will find out something to be proud of.
Ælius.
This is all railing.
Apem.
When you deserve my precepts, you shall have 'em,
Mean while, if I'll be honest, I must rail at you.
Cleon.
Let's walk, hang him, hear him not rail.
Phæax.
Our Government is too remiss in suffering the
Licence of Philosophers, Orators, and Poets.
Apem.
Show me a mighty Lordling, who's puft up,
And swells with the opinion of his greatness;
He's an Ass. For why does he respect himself so,
But to make others do it? wretched Ass!
By the same means he seeks respect, he loses it.
Mean thing! does he not play the fool, and eat,
And drink, and void his excrements and stink,
Like other men, and die and rot so too?
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And that's a word some other men cannot
Prefix before their names: what then? a word
That it was born to, and then it could not help it.
Or if made a Lord, perhaps it was
[Enter Timons 3 Servants.
By blindness or partiality i'th' Government.
If for desert, he loses it in Pride;
Who ever's proud of his good deeds, performs
Them for himself; himself shou'd then reward 'em.
Oh but perhaps he's rich, 'Tis a million to one
There was villany in the getting of that dirt,
And he has the Nobility to have knaves for his Ancestors.
Phæax.
Hang thee thou snarling Rascal, the Government's
To blame in suffering thee to rail so long,
Apem.
The Government's to blame in suffering the things
I rail at.
In suffering Judges without Beards, or Law, Secretaries that
Can't write;
Generals that durst not fight, Ambassadors that can't speak sence;
Block-heads to be great Ministers, and Lord it over witty men;
Suffering great men to sell their Country for filthy bribes,
Old limping Senators to sell their Souls
For vile extortion: Matrons to turn incontinent;
And Magistrates to pimp for their own Daughters.
Ruine of Orphans, treachery, murther, rapes,
Incests, adulteries and unnatural sins,
Fill all your dwellings, here's the shame of Government,
And not my railing. Men of hardn'd foreheads,
And sear'd hearts. 'Tis a weak and infirm Government,
That is so froward it cannot bear mens words.
Ælius.
Well, babling Philosophy, call Rascal, we shall make
You tremble one day.
Apem.
Never.
Sordid great man! it is not in your power,
I fear not man no more than I can love him.
'Twere better for us that wild beasts possest
The Empire of the Earth, they'd use men better
Than they do one another. They'd ne're prey
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Man undoes man in wantonness and sport,
Bruits are much honester than he; my dog
When he fawns on me is no Courtier,
He is in earnest; but a man shall smile,
And wish my throat cut.
Cleon.
Money of me, say'st thou?
1 Serv.
Yes! he saies he's proud he has occasion to make
Use of you.
Cleon.
Is't come to that?
[Aside.
Unfortunate man! I have not half a Talent by me!
But here are other Lords can do it.
I honour him so, that if he will, I'll sell my Land for him;
But prethee excuse me to him, I am in great haste
At this time.
[Ex. Cleon.
1 Serv.
'Tis as I thought. How monstrous and deform'd a
Thing is base ingratitude! Here's Phæax. My Lord?
Phæax.
Oh! one of Lord Timons men? a gift I warrant you.
Why this hits right. I dreamt of a silver Bason and
Ewer to night. How does that honourable, compleat,
Free-hearted Gentleman, thy very bountiful good Lord?
1 Serv.
Well in his health, my Lord.
Phæax.
I am heartily glad, what hast thou under thy
Cloak, honest youth?
1 Serv.
An empty Box which by my Lords Command
I come to entreat your Honour to supply with fifty Talents
He has instant need of. He bids me say he does not
Doubt your friendship.
Phæax.
Hum! not doubt it! alas, good Lord!
He's a noble Gentleman! had he not kept so good a House,
'Twould have been better: I've often din'd with him,
And told him of it, and come again to Supper for
That purpose to have him spend less, but 'twould not do:
I am sorry for't: but good Lad thou art hopeful and of
Good parts.
1 Serv.
Your Lordship speaks your pleasure.
Phæax.
A prompt spirit, give thee thy due. Thou know'st
What's reason. And canst use thy time well, if the time use
40
Here's money for thee—good Lad wink at me and say
Thou saw'st me not.
1 Serv.
Is't possible the World should differ so,
And we alive that liv'd in't?
Apem.
What art thou sent to invite those Knaves again
To feast with thy luxurious Lord?
1 Serv.
No: I came to borrow fifty Talents for him,
And this Lord has given me this to say, I did not see him.
Apem.
Is't come to that already?
Base slavish Phæax, thou of the Nobility?
Let molten Coin be thy damnation.
Phæax.
Peace Dog.
Apem.
Thou worse! thou trencher-fly, thou flatterer,
Thou hast Timons meat still in thy gluttonous paunch,
And dost deny him money. Why should it thrive,
And turn to nutriment when thou art poison?
2 Serv.
My noble Lord.
Isand.
Oh how does thy brave Lord, my noblest friend?
2 Serv.
May it please your honour, he has sent—
Isan.
Hah—what has he sent? I am so much oblig'd
To him, he's ever sending. How shall I thank him? hah,
What has he sent?
2 Serv.
He has sent me to tell you he has occasion
To use your friendship, he has instant need
Of fifty Talents—
Isan.
Is that the business? hah!
I know his honour is but merry with me,
He cannot want as many hundreds.
2 Serv.
Yes, he wants fifty, but is assur'd of your Honours
Friendship.
Isan.
Thou art not sure in earnest?
2 Serv.
Upon my life I am.
Isan.
What an unfortunate Wretch am I? to disfurnish
My self upon so good a time,
When I might have shown how much I love
And honour him: This is the greatest affliction
E're fell upon me: the Gods can witness for me
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I have no power to serve him, my heart bleeds for't.
I hope his honour will conceive the best;
Beast that I am, that the first good occasion
Shou'd not be in my power to use; I beg
A thousand pardons.—Tell him so—
Apem.
Thou art an excellent Summer friend!
How often hast thou dipt i'th' dish with him?
He has been a Father to thee with his purse,
Supported thy estate; when e're thou drink'st,
His silver kisses thy base Lips, thou rid'st upon
His Horses, ly'st on his Beds.
Isan.
Peace, or I'll knock thy brains out.
[Ex. Isan.
2 Serv.
My Lord, Thrasillus—
Thra.
He's comes to borrow, I must shun him.
I hope your Lord is well.
2 Serv.
Yes, my Lord, and has sent me—
Thra.
To invite me to Dinner. I am in great hast—
But I'll wait on him if I can possible.
[Ex. Thra.
Apem.
Good Fool, go home. Dost think to find a grateful
Man in Athens?
3 Serv.
If my Lord's occasions did not press him very much
I would not urge it.
Ælius.
Why would he send to me? I am poor. There's
Phæax, Cleon, Isodore, Thrasillus, and Isander, and many
Men that owe their fortunes to him.
3 Serv.
They have been toucht and found base mettle.
Ælius.
Have they deny'd him; and must you come to me?
Must I be his last refuge? 'tis a great slight,
Must I be the last sought to? he might have
Consider'd who I am.
3 Serv.
I see he did not know you.
Ælius.
I was the first that e're receiv'd gift from him,
And I will keep it for his honours sake,
But at present I cannot possibly supply him:
Besides, my Father made me swear upon
His Death, I never should lend money.
I've kept the Oath e're since. Fare thee well.
[Ex. Ælius.
42
They all fly us!
Apem.
The barbarous Herd of mankind shun
One in affliction, and turn him out as
Deer do one that's hunted, go, go home
To thy fond Lord, and bid him Curse himself,
That would not hear me: bid him live on root
And water, and know himself; he had better
Have shun'd Mankind than be deserted by them.
[Ex. Omnes.
Enter Melissa and Chloe.
Mell.
Who could have thought Timon so lost i'th' world?
With what amazement will the news of this
So sudden alteration be receiv'd by all Athenians?
Chloe.
Is it for certain true?
Mel.
Certain as death or fate! my father has assur'd me
Of it, that he is a Bankrupt, his Credit gone, and all
His ravenous Creditors with open Jaws will swallow him.
'Tis well I am inform'd, I'll stand upon my guard.
Enter Page.
Page.
Madam, a Gentleman below desires admittance.
Mel.
See Chloe, if it be Lord Timon, or any one from him,
Say I am not well. I will not be seen: be sure I
Be not.
Chlo.
I warrant you.
[Ex. Chloe.
Mel.
Seen by a Bankrupt! no, base poverty
Shall never enter here. Oh, were my Alcibiades
Recall'd, he would adore me still, and wou'd be
Rich too.
Enter Alcibiades in disguise, and Chloe.
Chloe.
It is a Gentleman in disguise, I know him not.
Alcib.
By my Melissa does.
[Pulls off his Disguise
Mel.
My Alcibiades! my Hero!
The Gods have hearkn'd to my vows for thee,
43
To me than the return of the Suns heat
Is to the frozen Region of the North,
That's cover'd half the year with Snow and Darkness.
Alcib.
My Joy, my life, my blood, my soul, my liberty,
And all that's pretious in the earth, I have
Within my arms: This treasure far outweighs
The joys of Conquest, or deliverance
From banishment or slavery.
Mel.
How proud am I of all thy victories!
'Twas thou that Conquer'd, but I triumph'd for thee,
All day I sigh'd and wish't, and pray'd for thee,
And in the night thou entertain'dst my sleeps,
And whensoe're I dreamt thou wert in danger,
I cry'd out, my Alcibiades, and in my dreams
I was valiant, and methought I fought for thee.
Alcib.
Oh my Divine Melissa! the Cordial of thy love
Is of so strong a spirit, 'twill overcome me,
One kiss and take my soul; another and
'Twill sally out; Oh, I could fix whole ages on
Thy tender lip; and pity all the Fools
That keep a senseless pother in the world for pow'r,
And pomp, and noise, and lose substantial bliss.
Mel.
There is no bliss but love; and but for that
The world would fall in pieces! Oh, with what a grief
Have I sustain'd thy absence! had not my Father
Prevented my escape, I had come to thee.
Alcib.
'Twas well for Athens safety that thou did'st not;
I had neglected all my Conquests which
Preserved this base ungrateful town; for I
In thee shou'd have all that I fought for; Thou
Would'st have been life, liberty, Country, and Estate to me.
Mel.
I have the end of all my hopes and wishes,
If the ungrateful Senate will let me keep thee.
Alcib.
'Twas I that made them what they are, in hopes
They soon would call me home to thee.
It was the thought of that which fir'd my Soul,
At every stroke the memory of Melissa
44
Mel.
Oh, let ambition never more disturb
Thy noble mind, let love in peace possess it.
Let not the noise of Drums and Trumpets clangor,
Clashing of arms, and neighing Steeds, and groans
Of bleeding men entice thee from me.
Alcib.
The Senate shall not dare remove me from thee.
Should they once offer it, I've an Army will
Toss their usurious bags about their ears,
Rifle their Houses, deflour their Wives and Daughters,
And dash their brains out of their doating heads.
But dear Melissa; since our hearts so long
Have been united, let's not stay for friends,
For ceremony, but come, compleat our joys;
True love's above senseless formalities.
Mel.
If any thing from you could anger me,
This would; but know, none shall invade my vertue
Without my life: but on my knees I vow
No other man, though Crown'd the Emperour
Of all the World, should ever have my love,
And though thy Country basely should desert thee,
I would continue firm.
Alcib.
And here
I swear, that could I conquer all the Universe,
I'd lay the Crowns and Scepters at thy feet
For thee to tread on. By thy self I swear,
An Oath more sacred far to me, than all
Mock Deities which knavish Priests invent,
Are to the poor deluded Rabble.
Chloe.
Madam! Your Father is come in.
Mel.
Let us retire: my Father has not yet
Forgotten his enmity, the breaking of the
Peace with the Lacedemonians, and his foil
Which he thinks you caus'd in Sicily,
Hee'l not forgive.
Alcib.
Had he injur'd me beyond all sufferance,
I would have forgiven him for begetting thee.
[Exeunt.
45
Tim.
Is't possible? deserted thus? what large professions
Did all these make but yesterday? did they all refuse to lend,
Say you?
1 Serv.
The rumour of your borrowing was soon
Disperst, and then at sight of one of us
They would stop, start, turn short, pass by, or seem
To overlook us, and avoided us,
As if we had been their mortal Enemies;
And who suspected not when they were mov'd,
Came off with base excuses.
Tim.
Ye Gods! what will become of Timon? I'll go to 'em
My self, they will not have the face to use me so.
Enter Demetrius.
Oh Demetrius! what news bring'st thou from the Senate?
Dem.
I am return'd no richer than I went.
Tim.
Just Gods! it cannot be.
Dem.
They answer in a joint and corporate voice,
That now they are at ebb, want Treasure, cannot
Do what they would, are sorry; you are Honourable;
But yet they could have wisht; they know not,
Something has been amiss; a noble nature
May catch a wrench; would all were well; 'tis pity;
And so intending other serious matters,
After distateful looks, and these hard fractions,
With certain half caps and cold careless nods,
They froze me into silence.
Tim.
The Gods reward their Villany, Old men
Have their ingratitude natural to 'em;
Their blood is cak'd and cold, it seldom flows,
'Tis want of kindly warmth which makes 'em cruel,
And Nature as it grows again towards earth,
Is fashion'd for the Journey, dull and heavy.
Heav'n keep my Wits! or is't a blessing to be mad?
46
Dem.
The Senate is assembling again,
You'll find 'em in the Senate House.
[Exeunt.
Enter many Creditors with Bills and Papers, Re-enter Demetrius.
Dem.
How now, what makes this swarm of Rascals here?
Each looking big, and with the visage of demand.
1 Cred.
We wait for certain sums of money due.
Dem.
If money were as certain as your waiting,
Why then proffer'd you not your Bills and Bonds
When your false Masters eat of my Lords meat?
Then they would smile and fawn upon him,
And swallow the interest down their greedy throats.
Enter Timon and Servants.
Tim.
If Melissa be at home, tell her I'll wait on her suddenly.
1 Cred.
Now, let's put in; my Lord, my Bill.
2 Cred.
Here's mine.
3 Cred.
And mine.
4 Cred.
My Master's.
Tim.
Hold, hold, my wits. Knock me down;
Cleave me to the waste. What would you have, you Harpyes?
1 Cred.
We ask our due.
Tim.
Cut my heart in pieces and divide it.
4 Cred.
My Master's is thirty Talents.
Tim.
Tell it out of my blood.
2 Cred.
Five thousand Crowns is mine.
Tim.
Five thousand drops pays that.
What yours, and yours?
3 Cred.
My Lord.
1 Cred.
My Lord.
Tim.
Here, take me, pull me in pieces, will you?
The gods consume, confound, and rot you all.
1 Cred.
What a Devil, is he mad?
2 Cred.
Mercy on us, let us be gone.
47
Let's go, hee'll murder some of us.
Tim.
They have e'en taken my breath from me. Slaves,
Creditors, Dogs, preserve my wits, you Gods.
Dem.
My Lord, be patient; passion mends it not.
[Lampridius crosses the stage and shuns Timon.
Tim.
See Lampridius, whom I redeem'd out of Prison.
His Father dead since, and he rich. Now the Villain
Shuns me.
Enter Phæax.
Oh my good Friend Phæax.
Phæax.
Oh my Lord—I am glad to see your Lordship.
I have a sudden occasion calls me hence,
I'll wait on you instantly.
[Ex. Phæax.
Tim.
I could not have believ'd this.
Enter Cleon.
My Lord.
Cleon.
Oh my good Lord, I am going to see
If I can serve your Lordship in the Command
I receiv'd from you by your Servant.
[Ex. Cleon.
Tim.
Oh black Ingratitude! that Villain has
A Jewel at this moment on, which I presented him,
Cost me three thousand Crowns.
Dem.
You'll find 'em all like these.
Tim.
There are not many sure so bad.
How have I lov'd these men, and shewn 'em kindness,
As if they had been my Brothers, or my Sons!
[Enter Diphilus, seeing Timon, mufles his face and turns away.
Look, is not that my Servant Diphilus, whom I marry'd to
The old Man's Daughter, and gave him an estate too;
And now he hides himself, and steals from me?
How much is a Dog more generous than a man;
Oblige him once, hee'l keep you Company,
Ev'n in your utmost want and misery.
48
Who's that? Ælius? my Lord—Ælius.
Demetrius, go let him know Timon would speak
With him—
[Dem. goes to him, he turns back.
Do you not know me Ælius?
Ælius.
Not know my good Lord Timon!
Tim.
Think you I have the Plague?
Ælius.
No, my Lord.
Tim.
Why do you shun me then?
Ælius.
I shun you? I'd serve your Lordship with my life.
Tim.
I'll not believe, he who would refuse me money,
Wou'd venture his life for me.
Ælius.
I am very unfortunate not to have it in my Power
To supply you; but I am going to the Forum, to a Debter,
If I receive any, your Lordship shall command it.
[Ex. Ælius.
Tim.
Had I so lately all the Caps and Knees of th' Athenians,
And is't come to this? Brains hold a little.
Enter Thrasillus.
Thras.
Who's there? Timon?
[runs back.
Tim.
There's another Villain.
Enter Isander.
How is't Isander?
Isand.
Oh Heav'n! Timon!
Tim.
What, did I fright you? am I become so dreadful
An Object? is poverty contagious?
Isand.
Your Lordship ever shall be dear to me.
It makes me weep to think I cou'd not serve you
When you sent your Servant. I am expected at the Senate.
I humbly ask your pardon; I'll sell all I have
But I'll supply you soon.
[Ex. Isander.
Tim.
Smooth tongue, dissembling, weeping knave, farewel.
49
Go to all these fellows. Tell 'em I'm supply'd, I have no
Need of 'em. Set out my condition to be as good
As formerly it has been. That this was but a Tryal,
And invite 'em all to Dinner.
Dem.
My Lord, there's nothing for 'em.
Tim.
I have taken order about that.
Dem.
What can this mean?
[Ex. Demetrius.
Tim.
I have one reserve can never fail me,
And while Melissa's kind I can't be miserable;
She has a vast fortune in her own disposal.
The Sun will sooner leave his course than she
Desert me.
Enter first Servant.
Is Melissa at home?
1 Serv.
She is, my Lord; but will not see you.
Tim.
What does the Rascal say? Damn'd Villain
To bely her so?
[Strikes him.
1 Serv.
By Heav'n 'tis truth. She saies she will not see you.
Her woman told me first so. And when I would not
Believe her, she came and told me so her self;
That she had no business with you; desir'd you would
Not trouble her; she had affairs of consequence; &c.
Tim.
Now Timon thou art faln indeed; fallen from all thy
Hopes of happiness. Earth, open and swallow the
Most miserable wretch that thou did'st ever bear.
Enter Melissa.
1 Serv.
My Lord, Melissa's! passing by.
Tim.
Oh Dear Melissa!
Mel.
Is he here? what luck is this?
Tim.
Will you not look on me? not see your Timon?
And did not you send me word so?
50
Mel.
I was very busy, and am so now; I must obey my
Father; I am going to him.
Tim.
Was it not, Melissa, said; If Timon were reduc'd
To rags and misery, and she were Queen of all the Universe,
She would not change her love?
Mel.
We can't command our wills;
Our fate must be obey'd.
[Ex. Mel.
Tim.
Some Mountain cover me, and let my name,
My odious name be never heard of more.
O stragling Senses whither are you going?
Farewel, and may we never meet again.
Evandra! how does the sight of her perplex me!
I've been ungrateful to her, why should I
Blame Villains who are so to me?
Evan.
Oh Timon! I have heard and felt all thy afflictions;
I thought I never shou'd have seen thee more;
Nor ever would, had'st thou continu'd prosperous.
Let false Melissa basely fly from thee,
Evandra is not made of that course stuff.
Tim
Oh turn thy eyes from an ungrateful man!
Evan.
No, since I first beheld my ador'd Timon,
They have been fixt upon thee present, and when absent
I've each moment view'd thee in my mind,
And shall they now remove?
Tim.
Wilt thou not fly a wretched Caitif? who
Has such a load of misery beyond
The strength of humane nature to support?
Evan.
I am no base Athenian Parasite,
To fly from thy Calamities; I'll help to bear 'em.
Tim.
Oh my Evandra, they're not to be born.
Accursed Athens! Forest of two legg'd Beasts;
Plague, civil War, and famine, be thy lot:
Let propagation cease, that none of thy
Confounding spurious brood may spring
To infect and damn succeeding Generations;
51
A passage through his mothers cursed Womb;
And kill the hag, or if they fail of it,
May then the Mothers like fell rav'nous Bitches
Devour their own base Whelps.
Evan.
Timon! compose thy thoughts, I know thy wants,
And that thy Creditors like wild Beasts wait
To prey upon thee; and base Athens has
To its eternal Infamy deserted thee.
But thy unwearied bounty to Evandra
Has so enrich'd her, she in wealth can vie
With any of th' extorting Senators,
And comes to lay it all at thy feet.
Tim.
Thy most amazing generosity o'rewhelms me;
It covers me all o're with shame and blushes.
Thou hast oblig'd a wretch too much already,
And I have us'd thee ill for't; fly, fly, Evandra!
I have rage and madness, and I shall infect thee.
Earth! take me to thy Center; open quickly!
Oh that the World were all on fire!
Evan.
Oh my dear Lord! this sight will break my heart;
Take comfort to you, let your Creditors
Swallow their maws full; we have yet enough,
Let us retire together and live free
From all the smiles and frowns of humane kind;
I shall have all I wish for, having thee.
Tim.
My senses are not sound, I never can
Deserve thee: I've us'd thee scurvily.
Evan.
No, my dear Timon, thou hast not.
Comfort thy self, if thou hast been unkind,
Forgive thy self and I forgive thee for it.
Tim.
I never will;
Nor will I be oblig'd to one,
I have treated so injuriously as her—
[Aside.
Evan.
Pray, my Lord, go home; strive to compose
Your self. All that I have was and is yours; I wish
It ne're had been, that yet I might have shewn
By stronger proofs how much I love my Timon.
52
Most Excellent of all the whole Creation,
Thou art too good that thou should'st e're partake
Of my misfortunes—
And I am resolv'd not to involve her in 'em.
[Aside.
Prithee Evandra go to thy own House,
I am once more to give my flatt'ring Rogues
An entertainment but such a one as shall befit 'em;
And then I'll see thee.
Evan.
Heav'n ever bless my Dear.
[Ex. Timon and Evandra.
Enter Phæax, Cleon, Isander, Isidore, Thrasillus, Ælius.
Phæ.
I think my honourable Lord did but try us.
Cleon.
On my life it was no more. His Steward assur'd
Me his condition was near as good as ever.
Isand.
That I doubt—but 'tis well at present
By his new feasting.
Ælius.
I am sorry I was not furnish'd when he sent to me.
Isid.
I am sick of that grief, now I see how all things go.
Enter Timon and Attendants.
Tim.
Oh! my kind friends! how is't with you all?
How I rejoice to see you! Come, serve in Dinner.
Phæax.
My noble Lord! never so well as when your
Lordship is so.
Ælius.
I am sick with shame that I
Should be so unfortunate a Beggar when you sent to me.
Tim.
No more, no more, I did but make Tryal: I have
No need of any sums; my Estate is in good health still.
Phæax.
Tryal my good Lord? Would any one refuse
Your Lordship were it in his power? Command half
My estate! I am sorry I was so in hast, I could
Not stay to tell you this. I have receiv'd Bills even now.
Pray use me—I hope he will not take me at my word.
[aside
Isan.
Take it not unkindly, my good Lord, that I could
Not serve you. Now my Lord command me—I am able.
53
I beseech you do not think on't: I know ye love me,
All of ye.
Phæax.
Equal with our selves, my dear Lord.
Thra.
If you had sent but two hours before to me?—
Cleon.
Now I have money, pray command it.
Tim.
No more, for Heav'ns sake; think you I distrust
My kind good friends! you are the best of friends.
My fortune ne're shall drive me from you, and should
Mine fail, which I hope it never will,
I know I may command all yours.
Phæax.
I shall think my self happy enough if you would
But command my utmost Drachma.
Ælius.
That were honour indeed; to serve Lord Timon,
I would with life and fortune.
Isan.
Alas! who would not be proud of it?
Isid.
Not a man in Athens.
Cleon.
There's no foot of my Estate your Lordship
May not call your own.
Thra.
Nor mine, my noble Lord.
Tim.
Thanks to my worthy friends. Who has such
Kind, such hearty friends as I have?
Ælius.
All cover'd Dishes.
Isan.
Royal chear I warrant you.
Phæax.
Doubt not of that; if money or the season
Can afford it.
Isid.
The same good Lord still.
Tim.
Come, my worthy Friends, let's sit! make it
Not a City feast, to let the meat cool e're we agree
Upon our places.
The GRACE.
You
great Benefactors, make your selves prais'd for your
own gifts, base ungrateful man will not do it of himself;
reserve still to give, lest your Deities be despis'd; were
your Godheads to borrow of men, men would for sake ye: make
the meat belov'd more than the man that gives it. Let no
Assembly of twenty be without a score of Villains. If there be
twelve women, let a dozen of 'em be....as they are. Confound
54
I beseech you, all the Senators of Athens, together with the
common people. What is amiss make fit for destruction; for
these my present friends, as they are to me nothing, so in nothing
bless them, and to nothing are they welcome, but Toads
and Snakes: A feast fit for such venemous Knaves.
Phæax.
What does he mean?
Ælius.
He's mad I think.
Tim.
May you a better feast never behold.
You knot of mouth friends, vapours, lukewarm Knaves;
Most smiling, smooth detested Parasites,
Courteous destroyers, affable Wolves, meek Bears,
You Fools of Fortune, Trencher Friends, Time Flies,
Cap and knee Slaves; an everlasting Leprosie
Crust you quite o're; what, dost thou steal away?
Soft, take thy Physick first, and thou, and thou; stay I will
Lend thee mony—borrow none.
Phæax.
What means your Lordship? I'll be gone.
Cleon.
And I. He'l murder us.
Ælius.
This is raging madness; fly, fly.
[They run off.
Tim.
What all in motion! henceforth be no feast,
Whereat a Villain's not a welcome guest.
Burn House, sink Athens, henceforth hated be
Of Timon, man and all humanitie.
[Ex. Timon.
| The History of Timon of Athens, the Man-Hater | |